The Last Station

Watching The Last Station made me realize that I know nothing about Lev Tolstoy (other than that his original title for "War and Peace" was "War What Is It Good For?" and his mistress made him change it). So I did some light internet research, no big deal:

• Christian anarchist and pacifist. War What Is It Good For, indeed.
• Wealthy. Member of Russian nobility.
• On the eve of his wedding to Sofya he gave her his diaries detailing his extensive sexual history.
• Love your neighbor and God. Don't look to the Church or state for guidance.
• No meat, tobacco, or alcohol. Chastity.
• No Shakespeare.
• Excommunicated by the Russian Orthodox Church.
• Abandoned his wealth and family at the age of 82.

The Last Station is really good if you are into the serious acting/Oscar contender/subtly humorous/time period-detailed/OMG is that Captain von Trapp as Tolstoy? brand of films. Here's a preview: